On Saturday, the Sindh High Court restrained the local administration and a private builder from demolishing a historic Hindu temple located in Soldier Bazaar area till December 7.

In a petition filed by the residents of Shri Rama Pir Mandir, petitioners Ram Chander and two other claimed that, in July 2007, a private builder issued notices to the residents to vacate the temple premises. The builder had accused them of encroaching upon the land of a saline water drain (nullah).

The petitioners said that since the builder owns land next to the temple, he just wants to add to it, they said. The petition also claims that the builder extended the land area from 610 square yards to 781 square yards illegally in connivance with military land department officers.

On July 10 this year, the high court had granted a stay order. The petitioners’ lawyer, HA Rehman, said that, on November 13, the builder’s lawyer misguided the court by representing himself as a lawyer for the petitioner and got the stay order vacated.

Granting the stay against demolition, Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, who was heading the bench, a issued notice to the deputy attorney general to get Military Estates Officer, Karachi, to file comments by December 7.

According to the petitioners, the temple, located on plots no. B-3-38 in Dolly Khatta locality of Soldier Bazaar, was built nearly a century ago.

Reader Comments (11)

“Patet omnibus veritas.” For those who did not study Latin at school, the translation is “truth lies open to all.” Today Pakistan as a nation stands in front of the world naked. What kind of a race are we, or does the state have any conscience???

It would be good to look at all mosques as well and see whether all encroachments will be dealth with similarly. Look at the Lal mosque and buildings on encroached land/ green belts. If a worhsipping place belongs to a minority, all laws come with full force, if it is a mosque, nothing can be done for fear of mullahs.

It would be good to look at all mosques as well and see whether all encroachments will be dealt with similarly. Look at the Lal mosque and buildings on encroached land/ green belts. If a worhsipping place belongs to a minority, all laws come with full force, if it is a mosque, nothing can be done for fear of mullahs.

I am ashamed and sorry rather outraged to find out that we are now demolishing the historic temples. My Hindu brothers cannot even cremate their dead in many parts of Pakistan and now their old temples are demolished. If there were a mosque instead of the temple would that be demolished?

Why no action is taken against Mullahs illegal madressahs and mosques made on illegal lands? If judiciary is that sincere and brave as it pretends to be, it should take all of them with iron hands no matter what. Our country is a democratic country not under Taliban control right now so our judiciary should take brave step not just against political parties but against these Mullahs and Hate Mongering Machines as well.

One wonders how Muslims will feel if this was done in India? Sad to say this typical Islimic culture and treat other religeon. Look Christians treated in Iraq? Sad to say this will happen in all Islamic countries in norther africa.

I think SHC justice should be dismissed for not verifying advocate change with petitioner further more CJ SHC should be inquired by parliament to see why it took so long to hear case and decide. Justice delayed is justice denied. SHC should execrate itself by putting those who are responsible on trial and those who conspired from government agencies be removed from their positions.